WASHINGTON — Demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol, angry over the proposed health care bill, shouted "nigger" Saturday at U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia congressman and civil rights icon who was nearly beaten to death during an Alabama march in the 1960s.

Protesters also shouted obscenities at other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, spat on at least one black lawmaker and confronted an openly gay congressman with taunts.

Cue the right wingers’ retort that “liberals are mean too!” Yeah, we might be big fat meanies but unhinged hostility seems to dominate the Tea Bag crowd. It was on full display in Nashville last month.